Today was vaccination day and I had the pleasure of meeting Ellen as my Nurse Practitioner Extraordinaire at the Jordan Travel Clinic in Plymouth. We decided on Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever, and a booster Polio vaccine. Most likely incidents while traveling are primarily intestinal issues or traffic related accident, statistically. In preparation for the former, Ellen recommended "dumbo's magic feather" or a filled anti-biotic scrip, that would magically ward off the need to use it, as opposed to needing a prescription mid-trip. So now, armed with dumbo's magic feather, which he believed was the reason he could fly, so can I.
Ellen was fantastic, and spent a full hour with me in addition to a great packet of information from the CDC and State Department. She's seen a lot and has even received an international certificate from a distinguished medical travel professional muckety-muck group out of Glasgow, Scotland. You know what they say . . . . If its not Schkot-ISH, it's CRAHP!
Another side bar conversation we had was a discussion about human evolution and how our early human ancestors had a healthy release of toxins in the body due to "running from lions" as opposed to the more static and sedentary ways we deal with stress these days. I'm grateful to Ellen and her categorical experience and wisdom, and the good laughs we had, and the joy she has for her profession.
Funny last note; medical insurance wont pay for my visit to the clinic and the immunizations recommended. Isn't that what they call Penny-wise and Pound-foolish?
